Australia Puts Crypto Oversight Gaps on 2026 Risk List
Australia’s corporate regulator, ASIC, has identified regulatory gaps in crypto, payments, and AI sectors as key financial risks, with unlicensed advice and misleading conduct exposing consumers. ASIC highlights that differing global regulations are complicating compliance and weakening protections. To address this, Australia is advancing the Corporations Amendment (Digital Assets Framework) Bill 2025, which would require digital asset platforms to obtain financial services licences, aiming to clarify rules and unlock significant economic gains. ASIC stresses the need for clear licensing requirements as some firms intentionally operate outside regulation. Experts emphasize the importance of clear regulatory boundaries and encouraging innovation, noting that industry education and evolving rules are essential for consumer safety. ASIC’s Enhanced Regulatory Sandbox allows limited license-free testing of financial services, supporting experimentation under oversight. The coming years are seen as crucial for shaping Australia’s tech policy, especially with reforms on digital platforms and AI regulation underway, with the regulatory approach expected to significantly impact Australia’s economic future.
